Williams off the hook – Samoa fullback Paul Williams has been cleared of any wrongdoing after being cited for a ‘punch’ in Friday’s match against the Boks.

Williams was sent off for striking an opponent contrary to law 10(4)(a). The player admitted the act of foul play.

Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all broadcast angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representative Kieran Donnelly, the judicial officer, Christopher Quinlan QC concluded the offence was at the lower end of the scale of seriousness which has an entry point of two weeks.

The judicial officer found that there were compelling on-field and/or off-field mitigating features and a complete absence of on-field and/or off-field aggravating features.

In particular he determined that the strike was an open-handed push, the contact was not heavy and there was no adverse effect on the victim player or the match.

Therefore, in accordance with Disciplinary Clause 12.5 the judicial officer determined that no further sanction was necessary. Williams is free to play with immediate effect.